3-Zone Press Escape Game
Press Resistance
Legend
- players
- opponents or partner
- ball
- core action
How it works
Advance the ball through three progressive press zones using press-resistant passing and movement.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
- scrimmage vests
- goals
Your focus
Press resistance must be demonstrated across all zones of the field. A three-zone drill that requires teams to progress through each press under game-like pressure builds the technical and mental composure needed to play through a full-field press.
Divide a 60x40 yard field into 3 zones.
In each zone, a different defensive shape presses (2v3 in zone 1, 3v4 in zone 2, 1v2 in zone 3).
Possessing team must play through each zone without losing the ball.
Award 1 point per zone successfully passed through; 3 points for reaching the end zone.
Losing the ball starts the sequence over from zone 1.
Play for 15 minutes; compare scores per team.
Goal
You're there when the ball advances through all three press zones in a single sequence without being won back, read, release, move, repeat.
Helpful cues
- Different zone, same principles: find the free teammate, play quickly
- The solution to every press is the same, the free player
- Press resistance is mental first, stay calm, technical second
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
No pressure in zone 1, start with an easy build.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Full-field press: all defenders press simultaneously across all zones.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.